The Richest Man in Babylon by George S Classon

Author:George S Classon
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Srishti Publishers & Distributors
Published: 2020-10-12T00:00:00+00:00

The Gold Lender of Babylon

Fifty pieces of gold! Never before had Rodan, the spear maker of old Babylon, carried so much gold in his leather wallet. Happily down the king’s highway from the palace of his most liberal Majesty he strode. Cheerfully the gold clinked as the wallet at his belt swayed with each step — the sweetest music he had ever heard.

Fifty pieces of gold! All his! He could hardly realize his good fortune. What power in those clinking discs! They could purchase anything he wanted, a grand house, land, cattle, camels, horses, chariots, whatever he might desire.

What use should he make of it? This evening as he turned into a side street towards the home of his sister, he could think of nothing he would rather possess than those same glittering, heavy pieces of gold — his to keep.

It was upon an evening some days later that a perplexed Rodan entered the shop of Mathon, the lender of gold and dealer in jewels and rare fabrics. Glancing neither to the right nor the left at the colourful articles artfully displayed, he passed through to the living quarters at the rear. Here he found the genteel Mathon lounging upon a rug partaking of a meal served by a black slave.

“I would counsel with thee for I know not what to do.” Rodan stood stolidly, feet apart, hairy breast exposed by the gaping front of his leather jacket.

Mathon’s narrow, sallow face smiled a friendly greeting. “What indiscretions hast thou done that thou shouldst seek the lender of gold? Hast been unlucky at the gaming table? Or hath some plump dame entangled thee? For many years have I known thee, yet never hast thou sought me to aid thee in thy troubles.”

“No, no. Not such as that. I seek no gold. Instead I crave thy wise advice.”

“Hear! Hear! What this man doth say. No one comes to the lender of gold for advice. My ears must play me false.”

“They listen true.”

“Can this be so? Rodan, the spearmaker, doth display more cunning than all the rest, for he comes to Mathon, not for gold, but for advice. Many men come to me for gold to pay for their follies, but as for advice, they want it not. Yet who is more able to advise than the lender of gold to whom many men come in trouble?

“Thou shalt eat with me, Rodan,” he continued. Thou shalt be my guest for the evening. Andol” he commanded of the black slave, “draw up a rag for my friend, Rodan, the spearmaker, who comes for advice. He shall be mine honoured guest. Bring to him much food and get for him my largest cup.

Choose well of the best wine that he may have satisfaction in the drinking.

“Now, tell me what troubles thee.” “It is the king’s gift.”

“The king’s gift? The king did make thee a gift and it gives thee trouble? What manner of gift?”

“Because he was much pleased with the design I did submit to

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